US, EU agreed to stay united over sanctions against Russia
US President Barack Obama and new European Council President Donald Tusk in a recent telephone call assessed what further actions may be necessary in response to Russia's destabilizing actions in eastern Ukraine and Crimea.
"The leaders agreed that sanctions against Russia cannot be eased until Russia meets its commitments under the Minsk agreements, and reiterated the joint U.S. and EU condemnation of Russia's occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea," according to a readout of the Obama's telephone call to Tusk.
They also reiterated the U.S. and EU commitment to work with international financial institutions to provide the financial support Ukraine needs as it stabilizes its economy, implements necessary reforms, and seeks to resolve the conflict in the eastern part of the country.
Moreover, Tusk and Obama urged Russia to pull back from eastern Ukraine.
"We shared our concerns over the crisis in Ukraine and agreed on how important it is for Russia to withdraw from eastern Ukraine, to stop supplying troops and equipment, to allow effective control of the border," former Polish premier Tusk said in a statement released by Brussels.